His evening SONG and morning song are not (are) both alike

Insights

Inconsistency and Fickleness

The proverb primarily serves as a metaphor for human inconsistency and fickleness. A person's promises, mood, and opinions are subject to change, implying that what is said in the morning cannot be trusted by evening.

The Influence of Time

The difference between the two 'songs' symbolizes the transformative effect of a day's experiences. The morning represents a fresh perspective and good intentions, while the evening reflects the fatigue, challenges, and altered viewpoints that come with lived experience.

Critique of Monotony

In its less common form, where the songs 'are alike', the proverb critiques monotony and stubbornness. It describes a person who is rigid, predictable, and unchanging in their views, regardless of circumstance, much like a cuckoo ('gouk') with its single, repetitive call.

Hypocrisy and Duality

The changing song can also suggest deliberate hypocrisy or two-facedness. An individual may present a pleasant and agreeable 'song' in one context, only to reveal a completely different, less favorable one later.

Liturgical Irony

The proverb is deeply rooted in the daily liturgical cycle of Matins (morning song) and Evensong (evening song). This religious framework, representing constancy and devotion, is used ironically to highlight human inconsistency. While divine praise should be constant, a person's 'song'—their mood, promises, or disposition—is shown to be fickle and subject to the changes a single day can bring.

Psychological Insight

This proverb serves as a piece of folk psychology, cautioning against forming judgments based on initial impressions. It suggests that a person's true character is revealed not in a single moment but over time. The 'morning song' might be full of promises and optimism, but the 'evening song' reflects the impact of the day's trials and reveals a more complete, and often different, perspective.

Social Commentary

The existence of contradictory versions—'are not alike' versus 'are alike'—makes the proverb a flexible tool for social critique. It can be used to condemn either a person's unreliable fickleness (changing their tune) or their stubborn monotony (singing the same old song), reflecting a nuanced understanding of character flaws.

Rhetorical Devices

Antithesis

The proverb is built on the direct contrast between 'morning' and 'evening', effectively framing the central theme of change or its absence.

Symbolism

'Song' serves as a rich symbol for a person's expressed thoughts, mood, or character, while 'morning' and 'evening' symbolize different states of mind or points in time.

Paradoxical Phrasing

The parenthetical inclusion of '(are)' creates a deliberate ambiguity, allowing the proverb to function as a critique of both inconsistency and excessive consistency, depending on the context.